Lace locking system

ABSTRACT

A lace or draw string fastening system can include a clamping unit and a capture element. The clamping unit can clamp onto the laces, such as shoe laces, to tighten the shoes and the capture element can capture and contain the free ends of the laces that extend from the clamping unit to prevent tripping by securing them to other portions of the laces or the article that houses the laces. The fastening system can be used in a shoe lace fastening system without the need for knot tying. The clamping unit can clamp the laces together at the top of the shoe to hold the laces tight while the capture element can contain or secure the free ends of the shoe lace to the shoe or the laces adjacent the toe to prevent tripping.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and any and all benefits as providedby law of U.S. design application Ser. No. 29/362,997 filed 3 Jun. 2010,which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to methods and mechanisms forsecuring garments and fabric using laces. More particularly, thisinvention relates to a locking mechanism and system for fastening orlocking laces, such as shoe laces to prevent the laces from cominguntied and to avoid the user tripping over the lace ends.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Laces have been in widespread use for hundreds of years. Laces aretypically threaded through holes in flexible materials, such as fabricsand leather to fasten and secure the material to a person or an object.Laces can be used to fasten or tighten a cover over an object allowingthe object to be subsequently uncovered. Typically, laces are used withclothing, such as shirts, sweaters and shoes to tighten or fasten thearticle of clothing to the person.

The conventional shoe lace is typically a smooth linear member made ofcloth, leather or plastic. The shoe lace is generally flexible and canbe threaded through a series of holes or eyelets arranged in the upperportion of the shoe so as to tighten the opening in the shoe, throughwhich the wearer's foot is inserted, to prevent the shoe from coming offthe foot.

In use, the shoe lace is loosely threaded through holes or eyelets ofthe shoe upper. Next, a foot is first inserted into the shoe and the twoends of the shoe lace are pulled so as to bring the openings in the shoeupper together, thereby tightening the shoe around the foot. The twoends of the shoelace are then tied so as to prevent the inadvertentloosening of the shoe.

This ancient process is cumbersome. The tying process is time consumingand subject to error, particularly with children. Shoelaces frequentlybecome loose and then untied creating a hazard and potential for injury.As a result various alternatives have been developed. Some shoes avoidlaces altogether using straps with buckles or hook and loop fasteners,such as Velcro™. Unfortunately, these alternatives do not provide thesame ability to tighten shoes the way shoelaces do.

Many U.S. patents have been directed to providing improved fasteningsystems for shoelaces. For example, see U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,157,813,5,158,428, 5,335,401, 5,572,778, 5,613,283, 5,649,342, 5,657,557 and5,852,857. Although these patents disclose a wide variety of fasteners,none of these addresses all of the disadvantages listed above.

Much of the shoelace fastening devices are similar to U.S. Pat Nos.6,026,548, 6,681,460, 6,612,003, 6,581,256, in that they include aspring loaded or biased device that includes holes or openings. Thedevice is compressed or biased open against the spring and the shoelacesare inserted through the holes or opening and pulled tight. The deviceis then released and the spring causes the device to clamp on theshoelaces, clamping them in place.

Other lace fastening devices are similar to U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,564,670 and5,477,593, in that they include a wheel or a gear that moves in anarrowing channel. The shoelaces are threaded between the wheel and theside walls of the channel and pulled tight. The tension on the shoelacescauses wheel to pinch the lace against the walls of the channel, lockingit in place.

Despite this prior art, there is a widely recognized need for animproved system for securing a laced shoe on the foot of its wearer--asystem that will promote a snugger fit of the shoe, avoid the need totie shoelace ends, and eliminate unwanted shoelace loosening.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to a fastening system for holding oneor more laces or lace ends in an intended position in order, forexample, to maintain a garment or a cover in position. The fasteningsystem generally includes a first clamping unit for controlling thetightness of the laces or the lace ends and a second clamping unit forsecuring the portion of the lace or laces or lace ends that extend fromthe first clamping unit so that they can be secured to the garment orcover to prevent them from dangling and becoming caught or otherwisecausing a nuisance.

In accordance with the various embodiments of invention, the firstclamping unit can be adapted for clamping tightly on to one or morelaces, such as strings or cords, typically used to fasten a garment,such as a shoe lace or draw-string. The first clamping unit can be used,for example, to tie shoe laces by pulling the laces tight and clampingthe laces together in place at the top of the shoe to replace thetraditional knot. As part of a system according to one embodiment of theinvention, a second clamping unit can be clamped onto or otherwiseattached to the free ends of the shoe lace and a hook or loop can beused to hook the second clamping device to the laces adjacent the toe ofthe shoe to secure or capture the dangling ends of the shoe laces andprevent them from being tripped over or getting tangled.

In addition to shoe laces, the device can be used to clamp other laces,strings and cords, including, for example, boot laces, athleticequipment laces, hood draw-strings, jacket draw-strings, pantsdraw-strings and other garment based laces and draw-strings. Further,the invention can be used with other devices, such as, curtains,draperies and blinds to retain or lock their draw-strings and pullcords.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the first clampingunit can include a clamp base and a cam element rotatably coupled to theclamp base. The cam element can include a cam lever and a cam that canbe rotated between an open position and a closed position, wherein thecam becomes closer to the clamp base as the cam element is rotatedtoward the closed position. In the closed position, the cam presses theshoe laces against the clamp base to lock the lace tightly clampingdevice in position.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the clamp base caninclude a bottom wall and the shoe laces can be threaded through thebase and extend along the bottom wall, such that, in the closedposition, the shoe laces are clamped between the cam element and thebottom wall.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the clamp baseincludes a cross bar and the shoe laces can be threaded through the baseand around the cross bar, such that, in the closed position, the shoelaces are clamped between the cam element and the cross bar.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the cam levercan include a pivot element at one end, enabling the cam element torotate with respect to the clamp base. The pivot element can extendtransverse to the cam lever. In accordance with some embodiments of theinvention, the cam can extend from the pivot and be oriented at an anglewith respect to the cam lever. In accordance with other embodiments ofthe invention, the cam can extend from the cam lever at a positionbetween the pivot element and the opposite end of the cam lever.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the cam elementcan rotate about a pivot pin that extends through a portion of the baseand through a portion of the cam element.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the cam can beoriented with respect to the cam lever such that when the cam element isin the closed position, the cam is closest to or in contact with theclamp base.

In accordance with an alternate embodiment of the invention, the cam canbe oriented respect to the cam lever such that when the cam element isin the closed position, the cam is near but not at its closest positionto the clamp base and the force applied by the tightened laces tends tocause the cam to increase its clamping force on the laces.

In accordance with an alternate embodiment of the invention, the clampbase can include a pair of side walls and the cam element can rotateabout a pivot pin that extends transverse to the cam lever through aportion of each of the side walls of the base. The cam lever can includeone or more projecting portions extending transverse to the cam lever,such that, in the closed position, the projecting portions engage theside wall of the clamp base. In some embodiments of the invention, atleast one of the side walls of clamp base can include depressions forreceiving the projection portions on the cam lever.

In accordance with other embodiments of the invention, a lace tying orlocking system can include a first clamp and a second clamp. The firstclamp can include a clamp base and a cam element rotatably coupled tothe clamp base and adapted to clamp tightly on one or more laces thatthat are positioned between the clamp base and the cam element. Thefirst clamp can be used to securely tie the laces of shoe to preventthem from coming loose without the need for a knot. The second clamp canbe used to restrain one or more free ends of the lace to preventtripping. The second clamp can include a first jaw and a second jawconnected by a hinge that enables the second jaw to rotate with respectto the first jaw between an open position and a closed position. Thesecond clamp can also include a latch that secures the second jaw in theclosed position to securely clamp on to the end or ends of the shoelace. The second clamp can include a fastening element, such as a hookor clip, that enables the second clamp to be fastened to a portion ofthe shoe.

In use, the pair of shoe lace ends can be threaded between the clampbase and cam element of the first clamp and after the laces are pulledtight, the first clamp can be slid along the laces up against the shoe.A force applied to the cam lever can be used to rotate it into theclosed position locking the laces tightly between the cam and clamp baseand locking the laces in a tightened position without tying a knot. Thesecond clamp can be attached to the free ends (or the dangling portion)of the shoe laces by closing the jaws on the free ends of the laces andlatching the jaws closed. The hook or clip on the second clamp can beused to hook or clip the laces extending between the eyelets of the shoeto hold the free ends in place on the shoe. In some embodiments of theinvention, the shoe laces can be cut to size such that the clip of thesecond clamp can catch the portion of the shoe lace extending betweenthe bottom two eyelets adjacent the toe of the shoe.

In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention, free endscan be tied together or take for form of a loop and the second clamp cantake the form of a hook or loop that can captures the looped end andfasten it to a portion of the exposed laces of the shoe.

In accordance with implementations of the invention, one or more of thefollowing capabilities may be provided. The present invention allows apair of shoe lace ends to be securely fastened without the need fortying a knot and easily released without having to untie the laces. Thepresent invention allows the laces to be easily tightened or loosenedwithout having to untie and then re-tie the laces. Unlike conventionalmethods of tying shoe laces, the present invention allows the free endsof the shoe lace to be restrained such that they are not easily caughton an object or stepped on, thus reducing the risk of the shoes becominguntied or the user tripping over them.

These and other capabilities of the invention, along with the inventionitself, will be more fully understood after a review of the followingfigures, detailed description, and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a front and a section view of a clamp for fasteningone or more laces in a closed position according to an embodiment of theinvention.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show a front and a section view of a clamp for fasteningone or more laces in an open position according to an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 5 shows a top view of a clamp for fastening one or more lacesaccording to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 shows a bottom view of a clamp for fastening one or more laces inan open position according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a front and a section view of a clamp for securingthe free ends of one or more laces in a closed position according to anembodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show a front and a section view of a clamp for securingthe free ends of one or more laces in an open position according to anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 shows a top view of a toe clamp for securing the free ends ofone or more laces according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 shows a bottom view of a toe clamp for securing the free ends ofone or more laces in an open position according to an embodiment of theinvention.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show the lace fastening system according to anembodiment of the present invention installed on a shoe.

FIGS. 15 and 16 show a front and a section view of a clamp for fasteningone or more laces in a closed position according to an alternateembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 17 shows a section view of a clamp for fastening one or more lacesin a closed position according to a further alternate embodiment of theinvention.

FIGS. 18A and 18B show an alternative embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is directed to clamping device and a clampingsystem for clamping one or more laces or lace ends, such as strings orcords, typically used to fasten a garment or object, such as a shoe laceor a draw-string. The clamping device can be used to tie shoe laces bypulling the laces tight and securely clamping the laces together toreplace the traditional bow knot. The traditional bow knot is easilyuntied and the loops of the bow are easily caught on objects resultingin the shoe becoming untied or the user tripping.

As part of a system, the first clamping unit or device that holds thelaces securely “tied” while a second clamping or capture device can beattached to the free ends of the shoe lace and a hook or clip can beused to attach the second clamping device to the laces or show adjacentthe toe of the shoe. The lace ends can be cut short to reduce thelikelihood of them becoming caught on something or the user tripping. Itshould be noted that in accordance with the present invention, evenwhere the ends become caught on something, there is little risk of theshoe becoming untied as pulling on the laces will not release theclamping unit to untie the shoe as with traditional shoe tying knots.

FIGS. 1 through 6 show a first clamping unit or device 2 according to anembodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the firstclamping unit 2 can include a clamp base 10 and a cam element 20 that isrotatably coupled to the clamp base 10. The cam element 20 can include acam lever 22 and a cam 24. The first clamping unit 2 can include a pivotmechanism 30 that enables the cam element 20 to rotate between an openposition as shown in FIG. 4 and a closed position as shown in FIG. 2. Inthis embodiment, the cam 24 extends from the cam lever 22 at a positionbetween the pivot mechanism 30 coupled at one end of the cam lever 22and the free end 22 a of the cam lever 22. In other embodiments, the cam24 can extend from the pivot mechanism 30 as shown in FIG. 16.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the clamp base can include lateral side wallsand one or more cross members, including cross bar 12 and stop 14,extending between the lateral side walls 16. In operation, one or moreshoe laces can be threaded through the bottom between the pivotmechanism 30 and cross bar 12, over and around the cross bar 12 and thenback out between the cross bar 12 and the stop 14. When the cam element20 is moved into the closed position as shown in FIG. 2, the shoe lacesbecome clamped between the cam 24 and the cross bar 12. In addition, thetension on the portion of laces extending between the pivot mechanism 30and the cross bar 12 tends to keep the cam element 20 in the closedposition. The stop 14 serves to prevent the cam element 20 from rotatingbeyond the closed and locked position.

In accordance with the invention, when the cam element 20 is in theclosed position, there can be little or no space between the cam 24 andthe cross bar 12, depending on the intended use of the device. As one ofordinary skill would appreciate, the first clamping unit can be appliedto many different types of laces, cords and strings and the firstclamping unit can be constructed from many different types of materialshaving a wide range of flexibility and yield characteristics. Forexample, where the first clamping device is made from a rigid plastic ormetal material, some space can be provided between the cam 24 and thecross bar 12 to prevent the clamping action resulting from the camelement 20 being moved into the closed position from causing the firstclamping device to cut or otherwise damage the laces, cord or string. Inother embodiments of the invention, where first clamping device is madefrom a more flexible or yielding plastic or metal material, no space oran interference configuration can be used to maintain the desiredclamping forces on the laces, cord or string. Stronger and more durablematerials, such as metals and durable plastics, can be selected for morerigorous applications, for example, professional and extreme sports aswell as other rigorous activities. In one embodiment, where the firstclamping device 2 is made from nylon 6 or nylon 66, no space or a slightinterference configuration has been found to provide acceptable clampingaction. The position of the cam 24 along the cam lever 22 and the lengthof the cam lever 22 can be selected to control the desired clampingforce on the laces, cord or string. As a person of ordinary skill wouldappreciate, a longer cam lever 22 allows greater leverage to providegreater clamping forces.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the firstclamping unit 2 can me made from metals or metal alloys, such as, brass,aluminum, titanium, steel or cast iron. In other embodiments, the firstclamping device 2 can be made from plastic materials, such as, nylon,nylon 6, nylon 66, polypropylene, ABS, PVC, Delrin™, polycarbonate andfiberglass or carbon reinforced plastic materials. In some embodiments,the clamp base and the cam element can be made from different materials.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the pivotmechanism 30 can include a pair of posts extending laterally from thesides of the cam element 20 at one end of the cam lever 22. The posts ofthe pivot mechanism 30 can extend transverse to the cam lever 22. Theposts can snap into appropriately sized holes in the lateral sides 16 ofthe clamp base 10, enabling the cam element 20 to rotate with respect tothe clamp base 10 between an open position as shown in FIG. 4 and aclosed position as shown in FIG. 2 by moving the free end of the camlever 22. Other pivot mechanisms 30 can be used. For example, a pin canextend through holes in the lateral side walls of the clamp base 10 anda hole in the cam element 20, enabling the cam element 20 to rotate withrespect to the clamp base 10. Alternatively, posts (or other projectingelements) can extend inward from the lateral side walls of the clampbase 10 and engage holes in the cam element 20 that enable the camelement 20 to rotate with respect to the clamp base 10. In furtherembodiments of the invention, a hinge or flexible material can be usedto couple the cam element 20 to the clamp base 10, enabling the camelement 20 to rotate from an open position to a closed position. In someembodiments, the cam lever 22 can include projecting portions or nibs 26that extend transverse to the cam lever 22. In operation, the nibs 26create an interference fit of the cam lever 22 with the side walls 16 ofthe clamp base 10 to help keep the cam element 20 in the closedposition. In some embodiments of the invention, the side walls 16 caninclude a ridge or a corresponding hole or depression to further engagethe nib 26 and to help keep the cam element 20 in the closed position.

FIGS. 7 through 12 show a second clamping device or toe clip 4 accordingto some embodiments of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 7-10,the second clamping device 4 can include a first jaw 40 rotatablyconnected to a second jaw 50 by a hinge 60. The second jaw 50 rotateswith respect to the first jaw 40 between an open position as shown inFIG. 10 and a closed position shown in FIG. 8. The second clampingdevice 4 can also include a latching mechanism 80 which serves to securethe jaws 40 and 50 in the closed position. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10,the first jaw 40 and the second jaw 50 can include teeth 42 and teeth 52respectively to enable the second clamping device 4 to securely clamp onto and grip one or more laces, cords or strings. The second clampingdevice 4 can also include fastening element, such as, a hook or clip 70,to enable the second clamping device 4 to be hooked or clipped to aportion of a lace, a shoe or other garment. In other embodiments, thetoe clip 4 that captures the ends of the laces can be secured to otherareas of the shoe (the sides or back) to accommodate sporting activitiesthat involve, for example, kicking or toe dragging (e.g. tennis).

The hinge 60 can be a flexible plastic material hinge as shown in FIGS.8 and 10 or it can be formed from interlocking loops which rotate arounda hinge pin. As one of ordinary skill will appreciate, the secondclamping device can be applied to many different types of laces, cordsand strings and the second clamping device can be constructed from manydifferent types of materials having a wide range of flexibility andyield characteristics. Tougher materials such as metals and more durableplastics can be used for some applications and softer materials,typically common plastics, can be used for less rigorous applications.

The latching mechanism 80 can include tabs 82 which extend from thefirst jaw 40 and catch the sides or elements of the second jaw 50, suchthat when the second jaw 50 is rotated into the closed position, thelatching mechanism 80 maintains the jaws in the closed position as shownin FIG. 8. The latching mechanism 80 can be released by pinching thetabs 82 inward or pressing them outward to allow the jaws to move to theopen position. Other latching mechanisms, such as a loop or a catchmechanism can be used.

In the closed position, the second clamping device 4 can clamp on to thefree ends of one or more shoe laces in order to fasten the free ends tothe shoe as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. The second clamping device or toeclip 4 can be latched closed on the free ends of a shoe lace and thenthe hook or clip 70 can be used to secure the toe clip 4 to the lacesnear the toe of the shoe. In one embodiment, the toe clip 4 can beclipped onto the portion of the shoe lace that extends between theeyelets near the toe of the shoe.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show a shoe lace fastening system according to oneembodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the ends of the shoelace can be threaded through the first clamping device 2 and with thefirst clamping device 2 in the open position, the shoe lace ends can bepulled to adjust the shoe to the desired fit and tightness. The firstclamping device 2 can be slid along the lace ends up against the shoeand the cam element 20 can be moved to the closed position, locking theshoe lace at the desired fit and tightness. By pulling the laces andsliding the first clamping device 2 toward or away from the shoe, thetension on the lace can be further increased or decreased to adjust thefit and tightness of the shoe. The toe clip 4 can be clamped onto thefree ends of the shoe lace by latching the jaws 40 and 50 closed,enabling the teeth 42 and 52 to engage the shoe lace ends. The hook orclip 70 can clip onto the portion of the lace near the toe to fasten thetoe clip 4 to the shoe as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14.

FIGS. 15 and 16 show an alternate embodiment of the first clampingdevice 2. In this embodiment, the first clamping device includes a clampbase 10 and cam element 20 rotatably coupled to the clamp base 10. Thecam element 20 can include a cam lever 22 and a cam 24. The firstclamping device 2 can include a pivot mechanism 30 that enables the camelement 20 to rotate between an open position and a closed position asshown in FIG. 16. In this embodiment, the height of the cam 24 (i.e. thedistance between the rotational axis and the highest point on cam 24)and the cam spacing distance (i.e. the distance between the rotationalaxis and the bottom wall 12 of the clamp base 10 as well as theflexibility and yield properties of the first clamp device 2 can bechosen to provide the desired clamping force. For example, where thefirst clamping device 2 is constructed of a hard metal or rigid plasticmaterial, the cam spacing distance can be selected to be greater thanthe cam height. In other embodiments, where the first clamping device 2is constructed of a more flexible metal or plastic material, the camspacing distance can be selected to be equal to or less than the camheight. Where the cam spacing distance is less than the cam height, thetension on the shoe laces will tend to keep the cam element in theclosed position and any increase in the tension on the shoe laces willtend to cause an increase in the clamping force.

In this embodiment, one or more laces 8 can be threaded through opening18A in the front of the first clamping device 2, between the cam element20 and the clamp base 10, and extend along the bottom wall 12 of theclamp base 10 and out opening 18B at the back of the first clampingdevice 2. When the cam lever 22 is closed, the cam 24 clamps the lace 8against the bottom wall 12 of the clamp base 10, locking it in place.

FIG. 17 shows an alternate embodiment of FIG. 16, wherein the clamp base10 includes a cross bar 12 and the cam element 20 includes a cam 24extending from the pivot mechanism 30 and oriented at a smaller anglewith respect to the cam lever 22. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG.17, the shoe lace 8 can be threaded over the cross bar 12 and can beclamped between the cam 24 and the cross bar 12, when the cam lever 22is moved to the closed position, resting against stop 14.

FIGS. 18A and 18B show alternative embodiments of the invention. Inaccordance with these embodiments, the free ends of the shoe lace thatextend from the first clamping unit 2 can form a loop, either by tyingthe shoe with the free ends at the toe or by tying the free endstogether. While a second clamping unit can be used to clamp on to thelooped shoe lace, a hooking or looping capture element 5 can be used inan alternative embodiment of the invention. The loop capture element 5can include a hook (e.g., an “S” hook), or closeable loop (e.g., acarabiner type loop shown in FIG. 18B) or a wound wire loop thatencircles the looped end of the shoe lace and ties it to the lacesthreaded through the shoe as shown in FIG. 18A.

In some embodiments of the present invention, both the cam 24 surfaceand the bottom wall 12 surface or the cross bar 12 surfaces can includegrooves or be textured or patterned to enable the first clamping deviceto more securely clamp on to the lace.

In other embodiments, the first clamping device 2 and/or the secondclamping device 4 can be adorned with indicia, such as, sports teamlogos and sporting equipment manufacture logos and trademarks, as wellas the name and/or likeness of amateur or professional athletes, orsimply the wearer's name or number. In some embodiments of theinvention, the toe clip 4 can be adapted to receive a decorative discthat clips on to or over the toe clip 4. The decorative disc can includeindicia, such as, sports team logos and sporting equipment manufacturelogos and trademarks, as well as the name and/or likeness of amateur orprofessional athletes, or simply the wearer's name or number.

Other embodiments are within the scope and spirit of the invention.Further, while the description above refers to the invention, thedescription may include more than one invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fastening system for fastening a lace on anarticle of clothing, the system comprising: a first clamping element,the first clamping element comprising a clamp base and a cam elementrotatably coupled to the clamp base and adapted to clamp on to a lacepositioned between the clamp base and the cam element; the cam elementincluding a cam lever and a cam, wherein the cam element can be rotatedbetween an open position to a closed and the cam becomes closer to theclamp base as the cam element is rotated from the open position to theclosed position to clamp on to a lace that can be placed between the camand the clamp base; and a second clamping element, the second clampingelement including a first jaw connected to a second jaw by hingeenabling the second jaw to rotate between an open position and a closedposition, the second clamping element including a latch, securing thesecond jaw in the closed position, and a hook enabling the secondclamping element to be attached to the article of clothing.
 2. Thefastening system according to claim 1 wherein clamp base includes abottom wall and a lace can be clamped between the cam and the bottomwall.
 3. The fastening system according to claim 1 wherein clamp baseincludes a cross bar and a lace can be clamped between the cam and thecross bar.
 4. The fastening system according to claim 1 furthercomprising a pivot element at one end of the cam lever and the pivotelement extends transverse to the cam lever.
 5. The fastening systemaccording to claim 4 wherein the cam extends from the pivot element. 6.The fastening system according to claim 4 wherein the cam extends fromthe cam lever at a position between the pivot element and an endopposite the one end including the pivot element.
 7. The fasteningsystem according to claim 4 wherein the clamp base includes a pair ofside walls and the pivot element extends into openings in the sidewalls.
 8. The fastening system according to claim 7 wherein the camlever includes at least one projecting portion, extending transverse tothe cam lever and in the closed position, engages the side wall of theclamp base.
 9. The fastening system according to claim 7 wherein the atleast one projecting portion, when the cam lever is in the closedposition, engages a depression in the side wall of the clamp base.
 10. Ashoe lace fastening system comprising: a clamping unit and a captureelement; the clamping unit including a clamp base and a cam elementrotatably coupled to the clamp base and adapted to clamp on to one ormore laces positioned between the clamp base and the cam element; andthe capture element unit engaging a first portion of the one or morelaces and coupling them to a second portion of the one or more laces ofa shoe.
 11. The shoe lace fastening system according to claim 10 whereinthe capture element includes at least one hook adapted to capture thefirst portion of the one or more laces.
 12. The shoe lace fasteningsystem according to claim 10 wherein the capture element includes acloseable loop.
 13. The shoe lace fastening system according to claim 10wherein the capture element includes a wire wound in a loop.
 14. Amethod of fastening laces of a shoe comprising: providing a firstclamping unit having a clamp base and a cam element rotatably coupled tothe clamp base and adapted to clamp on to one or more laces positionedbetween the clamp base and the cam element; threading the one or morelaces through the first clamping unit between the clamp base and the camelement; clamping the first clamping unit in position on the one or morelaces while the one or more laces are pulled to a desired tightness tosecure the shoe on the foot; providing a second clamping unit having afirst jaw connected to a second jaw by hinge enabling the second jaw torotate between an open position and a closed position, the second clampincluding at least one latch securing the second jaw in the closedposition, and clamping a second clamping unit to a portion of the one ormore laces extending from the first clamping unit.
 15. The methodaccording to claim 14 wherein the second clamping unit includes a hookenabling the second clamping unit to hook on to a portion of the one ormore laces of the shoe; and the method further includes hooking thesecond clamping unit on the one or more laces of the shoe.